Dear Editor,
Thank you for publishing Richard Luken’s story on Wednesday (Homeless in Iola).
The plight of the couple who became homeless due to the change in ownership of the Crossroads Motel pulled at my heartstrings, as I am sure it did many others in Iola and surrounding areas.
Seeing a photograph of Anna Hatfield and Gary Pinckney, holding their dog Sophie, with their makeshift home (a tent!) in the background brought several issues and concerns to the fore.
As the new pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Iola, I have been deeply disturbed by the level of poverty in Allen County.
In the six months that I have pastored here, I’ve been an active participant in the Circles of Allen County program. I serve as an “Ally” and have become well-acquainted with the needs and problems of the poor in our city.
It is troubling to face the reality that Iola has so many needs that are not being adequately addressed. The change of hands and raising of rent at Crossroads raises the already-known problem of too little low-income housing.
With the doubling of weekly rent, a room under new ownership will cost $800 per month! Where in this city are there apartments and houses to rent that are affordable for those who work minimum wage or low-paying jobs? I made several phone calls, as did my colleague, the Rev. Paul Miller, to try to find housing for this newly homeless couple, but to no avail.
ALONGSIDE the article about the homeless couple was the story of how to make a city “cool” and attractive to new residents. It was an excellent article, full of ideas.
In fact, both Ed Miller and David Toland are members of my congregation who work hard to serve this community. But I found a bit of irony in the contrast of the poverty in Iola with our desire to make this community appealing as a place to move. You see, I believe we can not only make Iola “cool” to outsiders, but in doing so, we can address the needs of those with few resources.
My question for you, as editor of The Register, as well as for your readers, is how can we better address the needs of the poor, the homeless, the hungry, and those looking for work?
As a pastor, I am called to challenge you to follow the example of Jesus, by giving food and drink to those who are hungry and thirsty, by clothing the naked, visiting the prisoners, caring for the sick, offering shelter to those in need of a home. (Matthew 25:31-46).
As a community, we will be stronger, happier, and have a better place to live if we can join together to help those who have already begun to seek more affordable housing, feed the hungry, and offer jobs to those who want to work.
This story speaks deeply to my heart and I can’t get the needs of Iola’s people out of my mind. My congregation is already considering ideas for how we can start to make a difference in the community. We hope those of you who have similar convictions will join together with us at First Presbyterian.
